Reaching out in love and service

Here’s another prayer of commitment and consecration taken from my book Prayers for All Seasons 2. It reminds us that discipleship is not just about receiving God’s blessing, but equally about reaching out in love and service.

In the brokenness of our world, God is there.
In the cry of the hungry,
the suffering of the sick,
the plight of the homeless,
and the sorrow of the bereaved,
he is calling your name.
In the misery of the lonely,
the despair of the oppressed,
the plea of the weak,
and the helplessness of the poor,
he is seeking your help,
asking for your response.
The world is bleeding,
and God is bleeding with it,
waiting for your hands,
your care
and your love
to help heal the wounds.
As you have come to him,
now go for him,
in the name of Christ.
Amen.